Built by the Union Iron Works of San Francisco, the
USS Oregon was launched October 26, 1893 and placed in commission
July 31, 1896 * Under the command of Captain C.E. Clark, the Oregon
completed a record voyage from San Francisco, California, to Key
West, Florida, by way of the Strait of Magellan; A distance of
14,000 miles in 68 days * In the Battle of Santiago de Cuba, she
sank the Spanish ships Viscaya and Colon and sealed the fate of
the Spanish Navy * During World War I, the Oregon was in coastal
defense and was used as a training ship * On July 14,1925, the
ship was placed in the custody of the State of Oregon as a historical
memorial * During World War II, the Oregon was repossessed by
the United States Navy and dismantled - her hull being placed
in active service* Thus the Oregon served her country during three
wars * This plaque is made of metal from the Battleship Oregon
and was presented to the city of Portland by the Battleship Oregon
Naval Post 1478, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States,
on October 29, 1944.